Obed Nash

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 93, 24 August 1923, Page 8

Obed Nash

(Contributed.) Full of years, at peace with God and man. Obed Nash was laid to rest in the old Stratford Cemetery on Tuesday afternoon, in the grave where his Wife was buried twentythree years ago. In accordance with the deceased’s tenets as a member of the sect of Christadelphians, the interment was of a private nature, being attended only by relatives and intimate friends o? the family. The burial sendee at the graveside was read bv Mr Lee.

Obed Nash was a deeply religious man, holding; very definite view’s on Life and the Hereafter. His Bible was a well-worn Book, and he could quote Scripture, verse and chapter, in support of all his view’s. He w r as a prominent member of the “Brethren of Christ,’’ and a few years back issued a printed pamphlet on the burning questions of the day from the standpoint of his sect. Members regard themselves as “called out” from the world, and from professing Christians to adopt the “doctrines declared by Christ.” They meet on the basis of brotherly love and good sense to “break bread” and discuss the Bible. Their -belief is in conditional immortality in Christ, as “the Son' of Cod by conception and the son of man by birth,”| in a kingdom of God which ig a divine political administration to be established universally at the visible advent of Christ wdio will raise the standard at Jerusalem. These, at any rate, are the broad line s which the historian lays down for the Christadelphians, but whether they met wholly w’itlx the deceased’s views is beside the point. The fact remains that Obed Nash is gathered to his fathers, having lived according^to his lights to the best of his- ability, being respected by Christadelphians and members of other sects alike, and regretted specially by those who had the privilege of knowing the depth of his convictions and the real conscience of the man.

A few particulars of this interesting personality are worth recalling. Ohedi Nash was born eighty three years ago in England. Ho came out to New Zealand in the ship Golconda, landing at Nelson in 1860. He also resided in the Napier district, and took part jn the Maori War, afterwards going into business in Auckland, being engaged in securing piles at Whangarci for the Auckland wharf. Ho lived in Hawora for a few years, and then came to Stratford, blazing the trail in the bush, in the district named after hint— Nash Hoad. That was forty-two years ago. For the last twelve years, h© resided with liis son-in-law, Mr J. Stewart, of Cardiff. Among his experiences, however, none pleased him most to record than the years ho wag engaged on several vessels trading round the coast of Now 7e.\ land. For the past five years, he has been failing, but bore his ailments stoically, in keeping with, his phil'* sophical disposition. He was wJ 1 cared for and comfortable to the end. His medical attendant, E< Steven, was dntiring in his effort;, and the relatives wish to express their appreciation of his services, as well as those of Mrs -L.mr.ior, of

Cardiff, who was very attentive m nursing the deceased to the end. The members of the family who survive the deceased settler are as follows : Mr Alfred Nash (Stratford), Mrs E. Coldwell (Stratford). Mr Thomas Nash (Himiera), Mr a A.. Stewart (Stratford), Mrs J. Stewart (Cardiff)), Mr William Nash (To Popo), Mr Sydney Nash (Stratford), Mass Lilian Nash (Wellington), Mis*. M. Nash (Dannevirke). Two momhors of the family now deceased were Mr Albert Nash (his widow resides in New Plymouth) and Mrs Hunt.